Updated 3:13 p.m.
Two former Patton Boggs partners have rejoined the firm's Washington office in as many days.
Todd Harrison, the former chief counsel for oversight and investigations for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Susan Bastress, the founding partner of Patton's Doha, Qatar, office, have returned to the firm.
Harrison joins the firm's litigation and dispute resolution practice. He has experience handling white collar criminal defense, Congressional investigations and complex civil litigation. He was a partner at Patton Boggs from 2008 until 2011, when he decamped for Capitol Hill. There he led Congress' investigation into the solar energy company Solyndra. Before joining Patton Boggs, Harrison served as a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York. He will split his time between the firm's Washington and New York offices.
In an interview, Harrison said that his recent experience handling investigations and oversight related to health care and energy made Patton Boggs a natural fit. He said that both industries are experiencing rapidly evolving rules and an increased focus on enforcement.
"In the years to come, there is only going to be more government investigations and oversight," Harrison said.
In 2003, Bastress founded the Doha, Qatar, office and ran it as managing partner until 2006. She left the firm in 2008 to join Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, where she was a partner in the real estate practice until 2010. Most recently, Bastress ran her own firm, Bastress & Associates.
Bastress' practice focuses on advising companies about the business climate in the Middle East. She was the first non-Qatari lawyer licensed to practice in the country. Though she will initially work out of the firm's Washington office, Bastress will transition to the Doha office later this year.
"Susan Bastress was essential to helping Patton Boggs achieve the level of success we enjoy today in Doha," firm managing partner Edward Newberry said in a written statement. "She will rejoin a truly excellent leadership team that has continued the forward movement she initiated in 2003."
Bastress was not immediately available to comment.
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